There are currently seven triptan medications available in the United States.
Almotriptan — Axert® (Tablet)
Recommended dose
- One 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg dose after the first sign of migraine
- No more than two doses in 24 hours
Most common side effects
- Tingling of the skin
- Burning or prickly feeling
- Numbness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
Eletriptan — Relpax® (Tablet)
Recommended dose
- One 20 mg or 40 mg dose at the start of a migraine
- No more than two 20 mg or 40 mg doses may be taken in a 24-hour period
Most common side effects
- Dizziness
- Lack or loss of strength
- Nausea
- Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- Pain or pressure sensation in the chest or throat
Frovatriptan — Frova® (Tablet)
Recommended dose
- One 2.5 mg tablet after the start of a migraine
- No more than three should be taken in a 24-hour period
Most common side effects
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache other than migraine
- Tingling of the skin
- Dry mouth
- Flushing (hot flashes)
- Feeling hot or cold
- Chest pain
- Indigestion
- Pain in the joints or bones
Naratriptan — Amerge® (Tablet)
Recommended dose
- One 1 mg or 2.5 mg dose at the first sign of a migraine
- No more than 5 mg in a 24-hour period
Most common side effects
- Chest pain (severe)
- Heaviness, tightness or pressure in the chest, throat and/or neck
- Feeling of burning sensation
- Sensation of warmth
- Numbness
- Sense of tightness around the chest and/or throat
- Tingling of the skin
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness or increased tiredness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Rizatriptan — Maxlt®, Maxlt- MLT® (Tablet, Orally Disintegrating Tablets)
Recommended dose
- One 5 or 10 mg dose at the first sign of a migraine
- No more than 30 mg in a 24-hour period
Most common side effects
- Chest pain or heaviness, tightness/pressure in the chest
- Pounding heartbeat
- Feeling of burning sensation
- Sensation of warmth
- Numbness
- Sense of tightness around the chest and/or throat
- Tingling of the skin
Sumatriptan — Imitrex® (Tablet, Nasal Spray Injection)
Recommended dose
- Dosage varies depending on severity of migraines and type of delivery
Most common side effects
- Flushing (hot flashes)
- Tingling of the skin
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Sensation of warmth or coldness
- Burning at injection sites (if injection used)
- Bitter taste at the back of throat (with nasal sprays)
Zolmitriptan — Zomig® (Tablet, Oral Ingesting Tablet, Nasal Spray)
- Recommended dose
- Dosage varies depending on severity of migraines and type delivery
Most common side effects
- Chest pain (severe)
- Heaviness, tightness, or pressure in chest
- Feeling of burning sensation
- Tingling of skin
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sensation of warmth
- Numbness
- Sense of tightness around the chest and/or throat
- Sleepiness or unusual tiredness
- Muscle weakness